A PROMISE FROM MANDY'S SPECIAL FARM

Ruthie Robbins has invested years - and raised over $1 million - to secure her dream of a brighter, better life for her daughter Mandy, who has autism, and other adults with developmental disabilities.  As a result, Mandy's Special Farm stands today as a model of residential living for individuals with developmental disabilities in the United States.

Here, Ruthie talks from the heart about the issues that only parents of special children can understand.

ABOUT CARING FOR A SPECIAL CHILD WHEN YOU'RE NO LONGER HERE

"Probably the greatest fear as a parent of a special child is not really knowing what their future is going to hold when you're not here. Because of that I started Mandy's Special Farm. Through our contributions and the contributions of others, we want this to go forward forever, for those who live here and ultimately the next generation that need a safe, loving place to lead their lives productively."

ABOUT QUALITY OF CARE

"My commitment to quality is very high. This is my daughter's home for the next 50 or 60 or 70 years. Many of our younger workers are studying for careers in special education or related fields. We've designed this farm from day one to meet the needs of adults with autism and other developmental disabilities, without cutting one corner. You have my word as a mother that your child will receive the same kind of loving care that my child would receive, if she were in my house."

HER HOPES FOR MANDY'S SPECIAL FARM

"My hope is that Mandy and others like her find a fulfilling, enjoyable life, doing the things they like to do, having something rewarding to do every day, helping them to become more self-sufficient, and for this place to endure as long as it needs to for their lifetime, and beyond. The goal and really the dream is that Mandy's Special Farm can provide that kind of living environment, seeing these individuals into their old age, so they can age together, go through the same processes together, and this will actually be their home, the same way you and I have a home."